Articulated boom structure with stabilizing structure



Dec. 7, 1965 F. A. DOLLINGER 3,221,771

ARTICULATED BOOM STRUCTURE WITH STABILIZING STRUCTURE Filed March 4;,1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l mw l g 3 i I E 111 I III! INVENTOR W %JZ! A TORNE YS Dec. 7, 1965 F. A. DOLLINGER 3,

ARTICULATED BOOM STRUCTURE WITH STABILIZING STRUCTURE Filed March 4,1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 65 i [p I v 51 llllllll HHHIHIHUHEM INVENTOR. Hana@524. flQZ z/zger ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1965 F. A. DOLLINGER 3,221,771

ARTICULATED BOOM STRUCTURE WITH STABILIZING STRUCTURE Filed March 4,1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR United States Patent ()ffice 3,221,771Patented Dec. 7, 1965 3,221,771 ARTICULATED BOGM STRUCTURE WITHSTABILIZING STRUCTURE Francis A. Dollinger, Oak Park, IlL, assignor toMississippi Valley Structural Steel Company, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 262,748

18 Claims. (Cl. 137-615) The present invention relates to improvementsin articulated boom structures and is more particularly concerned with anew and improved arrangement which is especially useful in hydraulicallymotivated booms for transferring fluent materials between loading docksand piers and cargo vehicles, such as trucks, railway cars and marinevessels including tankers and barges.

Bulk fluid transfer, especially in marine shipping, presents numerousproblems arising from size and height differences in dockage and vesselstructures, the necessarily inherent mobility of the vessels relative tofixed dock and pier structures and including rise, fall, drift, pitchand roll of the vessels. Heretofore, various complexities of hoses andhose handling winches, jibs, cranes and the like, space requirements,etc., have also complicated this shipping problem.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention toprovide a highly efiicient, versatile, reliable and extremely adaptablearticulated boom structure which is especially suitable for bulk fluidtransfer operations in marine shipping.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel poweredarticulated boom structure embodying a new and improved articulatingdevice for stable pivoting of the boom components.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a pivotallyarticulated bulk fluent material transfer boom assembly a new andimproved actuating device with an efiicient load bearing to swivel jointrelationship of the device with respect to the relatively pivotallyconnected sections of the assembly.

Still another object of the invention is to provide new and improvedmeans for applying motivating power for adjusting the attitude ofarticulated boom components relative to one another.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide new and improved meansfor supporting vertical, swivelly mounted riser components of anarticulated boom structure.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following detailed description of certainpreferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an articulated boom structureembodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of the boom structure takensubstantially in the plane of line 11-11 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical elevational view taken substantially inthe plane of line IIL-III of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view taken substantially in theplane of line IVIV of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional elevational detail viewtaken substantially on the line VV of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional elevational detail viewtaken substantially on the line VI-VI of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational detail viewtaken substantially on the line VIIVII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational detail viewtaken substantially on the line VIII- VIII of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 9 is a sectional detail view showing a slight modification.

Representative of an articulated boom structure according to the presentinvention is that depicted in FIG- URE 1, constructed and arranged fortransfer of fluent material between a loading or unloading station and avehicle. In this instance the structure is especially suitable for bulktransfer of fluent material in marine shipping. To this end, thestructure includes a vertical riser 10 supported pivotally for swingingor swivel movement about a vertical axis by a standard 11. Carried bythe upper end of the riser 10 is a boom assembly comprising at least oneboom section 12, but in the illustrated form comprising a plurality ofboom sections wherein the section 12 is the inboard section supportingat its outer end an outboard boom section 13. Through suitableconnections and couplings the riser 10 and the boom sections 12 and 13afford an articulated conduit adapted for connection at the lower end ofthe riser 10 with a ipe or conduit 14 serving either as a supply ordelivery duct depending on the direction of flow desired. Suitablejointed connecting means comprising swivel joints, elbows, and the like,15 on the free end of the outboard boom section 13 enable operativeattachment thereof to a delivery or supply duct 17 which may be amanifold or tank connection, and the like.

A firm, stable support for the mast or riser 10 is afforded by thesupporting standard structure 11 through the provision of a sturdyframework of structural steel members such as H-beams welded into aunitary structure. In a desirable arrangement, the framework comprises apair of generally A-shaped frames in generally splayed relationship andeach including a base bar 18 secured together at adjacent end portionsthereof (FIG. 8) under the lower end of the riser 10, with a couplingplate 19 welded onto the upper side of the joint. These base bars areadapted to be secured as by means of tie bolts 20 to a supporting basesuch as a dock 21 (FIG. 1), which may be a waterside dock or pier,vehicle loading dock, or a vehicle deck, such as that of a railroad caror dolly, deck of a vessel, and the like.

Rising from each of the base bars 18, is a substantially rigid generallyA-shaped frame which is substantially triangular in side elevation andcomprises a vertical bar 22 secured at its lower end onto the base bar18 and adjacent to that end of the respective base bar which is joinedto the other base bar. Connecting the upper end portion of each of thevertical bars 22 with the outer or free end portion of the supportingbase bar 18 is a diagonal buttress bar 23. This is reinforced by a trussbar 24 extending from the angle between the base bar 18 and the verticalbar 22 diagonally upwardly to adjacent the midpoint of the inner side ofthe buttress bar 23 and adjacent to a horizontal reinforcing bar 25connecting the midarea of the buttress bar 23 with the adjacent verticalbar 22. At least one transverse connecting bar 27 (FIGS. 5 and 7) issecured to and between the vertical bars 22 spaced substantially abovethe base bars 18.

Swivel connection of the riser or mast pipe 10 to the supportingframework of the standard 11 is desirably effected by means of a pair ofvertically spaced swivel bearing assemblies 28 (FIGS. 1 and 5) each ofwhich comprises a bearing ring 29 which may be of bronze encircling thecylindrical riser 10 in slidable bearing relation and within which theriser is rotatable. Attachment of the respective ring bearings 29 to theframework of the standard is through the medium of a flanged splitcollar assembly comprising a yoke portion having respective angularflanges 31 on its end portions each engaging one side face of arespective rigid connecting ear 32 on the adjacent vertical bar 22defining an edge of one of the triangular frames of the standard, whilea complementary collar portion 33 completing the collar, has angularopposite end flanges 34 engaging the opposite faces of the respectiveears 32. Attachment means comprising bolts 35 extending'through therespective sets of collar flanges and rigid connecting ears 32 securethe collar segments 30 and 33 in clamping engagement about theassociated ring bearing 29 and to the rigid connecting cars 32. One ofthe bearing assemblies 28 is attached to the vertical frame bars 22adjacent and in line with the horizonttal reinforcing bars 25 and theother of the bearing assemblies 28 is attached adjacent to the upperends of the vertical bars 22 and adjacent the upper ends of the buttressbars 23. This swivel connection is thoroughly resistant tothe'multiplicity of stresses and strains imposed on the riser 10 by thelive and dead loads, and the various stresses to which it may besubjected by manipulations of,'the boom sections 12 and 13.

Vertical thrust bearing means are provided for the mast or riser 10. Ina heavy duty form such thrust bearing means comprise a downwardly facingannular flange 37 (FIGS. 1 and 7) rigidly secured by means includingradial flange vanes 38 to and about the lower end portion of the riser10 spaced below the lowermost swivel bearing assembly 28 and slidablythrusting in bearing relation against a bearing ring disk 39 supportedby an upwardly facing thrust flange 49 carried by an annular ringbracket 41 supported in encompassing relation about the riser by a pairof convergently related cantilever support arms 42 respectively rigidlysecured to the A-frarne sections of the standard structure 11. By havingthe heavy duty thrust bearing assembly as supported by the arms 42spaced substantially above the base of the standard structure,convenient mounting of coupling means on the lower end of the riser 10is enabled, such for example as an L-member 43 and a swivel joint 44 bywhich connection is eifected with the duct 14.

If desired, a thrust hearing may be provided for the L-member 43. Forthis purpose, a downward extension tube 45 is secured to the- L-membercoaxially with the upwardly extending end of the member and coaxial withthe riser 10. At its lower end, the thrust bearing tube 45 rests againstthe connector plate 19 serving as a thrust bearing therefor. Formaintaining the thrust bearing tube 45 in centered alignment with theriser 10 and against lateral displacement, and upwardly projecting rigidboss or centering ring 47 on the plate 19 may be provided as shown(FIGURE 8). This lowermost thrust bearing arrangement may serve as theentire vertical thrust bearing for the standard 10 in relativelylightweight construction, instead of the heavy duty thrust bearingarrangement 37, 38, 40, if preferred.

Means are provided for powered rotary or swivelling movements of theriser 10 as a mast for adjusting the boom supported thereby swingablyabout a vertical axis. For this purpose, a hydraulic cylinder actuator48 (FIG- URES 1 and 6) is provided having one end secured pivotally to abracket 49 on one of the frame buttress bars 23 and its piston rod 50secured as by means of a yoke or clevis 51 and a pin or bolt 52 to anear 53 projecting from one-half portion 54 of a segmented clamp collarincluding a complementary half portion 55. Opposing attachment ears 57on the respective opposite ends of the collar segments 54 and areclampingly secured as by means of bolts 58 and draw the collar segmentsinto gripping engagement with friction means such as a brake band 59grippingly engaging the outer perimeter of the pipe of the riser 10 insubstantially fixed embrace. Any suitable hydraulic control system maybe employed for actuating the actuator 48 to efiect-oscillatoryswivelling of the riser 10 as required. Such a control arrangementadapted for this purpose is disclosed in Patent 2,984,985, datedFebruary 23, 1961.

When it is desired to maintain the riser mast 10 locked in any rotatablyadjusted position, or in an idle condition, a manually engageable anddisengageable lock or latch device may be employed, such, for example,as disclosed in FIGURE 7, comprising a latch plate 60. This latch plateis so constructed and arranged that it is engageable upon the horizontalreinforcing bar 27 and has a depending flange 61 engageable with oneside of a flange portion of the bar 27 and a depending detent 62engageable with the opposite side of such flange portion to retain thelatch plate against outward displacement horizontally from the bar 27.At each side, the latch plate has a respective shoulder portion 63opposing the adjacent face of the respective vertical standard bar 22.Locking engagement with the standard 10 is effected by a portion of theplate which projects between the vertical bars 22 for engagement of oneof the radial vane flanges 38 within an interlock notch 64 in suchportion. This notched locking portion of the latch plate 60 engages uponthe thrust flange 37, substantially as shown. Through this arrangement,the rotary riser 10 is held positively against turning until the latchplate 60 is removed, in this instance manually, a finger hole 65 beingprovided therein to facilitate handling.

In order to enable swingable raising and lowering of the inboard boomsection or member 12 about a horizontal axis adjacent to the upper endof the riser 10, the upper end portion of the riser is provided with anangular, elbow-like, or gooseneck yoke mast head 67 (FIGS. 1 and 3)having aninwardly directed connection terminal 68 disposed on ahorizontal axis perpendicular to and intersecting the point ofintersection of the longitudinal center axes of the straight verticalportion of the riser 10 and of the boom member 12. This terminal portion68 is suitably connected by a swivel coupling 69 to a complementary,coaxial connecting terminal portion 70 on an angular, elbow-like orgooseneck inboard yoke end por tion 71 of the boom member 12. Desirably,though not necessarily, the coupling 69 lies in the vertical plane ofthe central longitudinal axis of the riser 10 and boom member 12.

Novel means are provided for efliciently actuating the boom member 12relative to the riser 10, and especially adapted to operate in thepresence of the considerable cantilever forces imposed upon the boommember. Such means comprise a generally upwardly extending hydrauliccylinder actuator or motor 72 which is mounted at its lower end by pivotmeans 73 to a rigid bracket 74 secured, as by means of welding, to thesteel pipe of the riser 10 between the two swivel bearings 28 and on theside of the riser 10 opposite to that from which the boom member 12projects. This is also the side opposite to the supporting standard 11which, by 'having the A-frames thereof splayed generally away from theswivel position of the riser 10, affords a wide range of movementaccommodation clearance for the actuator 72 and its attachment bracket74 with the riser 10 in the swivelling movements of the riser. As seenin FIG. 1, the bracket 74 projects a substantial distance laterally fromthe riser. It will be understood that the hydraulic actuator 72 isintegrated in the hydraulic operating system which includes also thehydraulic actuator 48 by which the riser 10 is power swivelled.

Operative connection of the hydraulic power actuator '72 for actuatingthe boom member 12 is effected by coupling means which, because of itsnovelty in this art, and for want of a better term, has been designatedas a bridle 75. This bridle, in effect, comprises a non-rigidly mounted,self-fulcrumed, rearward or inboard extension of the boom lever beyondthe horizontal pivotal axis between the boom member 12 and mast headportion 67 of the riser 10 for efficient first class lever operation.

In a desirable construction, the bridle 75 comprises a longitudinallyextending lever arm 77 overlying the inboard straight end portion of theboom section 12, preferably in a vertical plane through the axis of theboom section and with the outboard end portion of the lever arm securedto the boom section by an attachment bracket-lug-link device 78 enablingautomatic relative expansion and contraction and like adjustmentmovements of the arm and boom section. An inboard extension portion 79of the lever arm 77 projects a suitable distance beyond the swivelcoupling 69 and is connected by suitable pivotal connection 80 with theouter end terminal of a piston rod 81 projecting generally upwardly fromthe upper end of the actuating motor 72.

For compensation of bending loads, the inboard end portion of the leverarm section 79 carries rigidly thereon a generally upward extension,conveniently in the form of a diagonally upwardly and forwardlyprojecting mast or pylon arm or bar 82 carrying on its upper end acoupling 83 by which there is attached the inboard end of a guy rod 84.This rod provides a tensioned supporting means and extends forwardly orin an outboard direction over the boom member 12 and is connected by asuitable coupling 85 to a bracket 87 rigidly mounted on the upper sideof the member 12 in spaced adjacency to its outboard end.

Stabilizing fulcrum means enabling fulcruming of the bridle 75 on thehorizontal pivotal axis between the riser and the boom section 12comprise a horizontal stabilizer bar 88 extending equally beyondopposite sides of the lever arm 77 from adjacent juncture of the inboardextension 79 of the arm with the main outboard portion of the arm. Thebar 88 is parallel with the adjacent boom pivoting axis and is of alength somewhat greater than, and extends equally beyond each end of,the S-shaped configuration defined by the gooseneck or yoke elbows ofthe coupled end portions 67 and 71, respectively, of the riser and boommembers. At each end, the stabilizer bar 88 has a rigid, identicalrocker arm 89 each of which comprises a pair of coextensive spaced,parallel plates and is of sufficient length to support the stabilizerbar and thus the bridle assembly in adequate operative spaced relationabove the coupling 69. The free end portions of the rocker arms 89 arepivotally connected by bearing pivot means such as respective pins orbolts 90 to respective pivot brackets 91 rigidly secured as by weldingto the adjacent elbows 67 and 71 and each provided with a respectiveflange plate journal arm 91a interleaved with the associated twin-platerocker arm 89. The bearing pivots 90 are coaxial with the pivotal axisof the coupling 69. This arrangement has been found to be quiteefficient and enables accurate axial alignment of the pivots 90 bywelding on of the pivot and load bearing brackets 91 in separatelyadjusted relation to the axis of the swivel coupling 69 for smooth,bind-free operation of the swivel coupling and the bridle structure 75.

For reinforcement of the bridle structure, diagonal reinforcing bars 92are rigidly secured between the end portions of the rigid stabilizer bar88 and the outboard end portion of the lever arm 77. Similar reinforcingbars 93 are rigidly secured between the outer end portions of the bar 88and the upper end portion of the pylon bar or arm 82. Thus, effectivegenerally triangular structural frame construction is afforded for thebridle 75.

By operation of the actuating motor 72, raising and lowering of the boomis effected through the bridle 75 between an idle, out-of-serviceposition as indicated in dot dash outline in FIGURE 1 and a preferredservice position, exemplified in full lines in FIGURE 1. In the outof-service position, a latching lug 94 on the inboard underside of thelever arm extension 79 registers with a complementary latching lug 95 onthe mast head of the riser 1i) and is locked thereto as by means of alocking pin or the like. Similarly, the boom members 12 and 13 areadapted to be locked together in a collapsed, idle position by means ofa rigid latching lug 97 on the member 12 registering with acomplementary latching lug 98 on the member 13 and adapted to be securedtogether as by means of a latching pin or the like as indicated in dashoutline in FIGURE 1.

An arrangement similar to that aiforded between the mast head of theriser 10 and the boom section 12 is afforded between the inboard boomsection 12 and the outboard boom section 13 for enabling relativepivotal adjustment movement of the boom sections about a horizontalaxis. For this purpose as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 4, the boom section12 has an elbow-like gooseneck or yoke outboard end portion 99 providinga coupling terminal 100 disposed on a horizontal axis coaxial with aswivel joint coupling 101 by which a complementary coaxial terminalportion 102 on an elbow-like gooseneck or yoke portion 103 of an inboardend section 194 of the outboard boom member 13 is secured as by means ofa flange coupling 105 to the main length of the outboard boom member.

While for some purposes it may be sufiicient to equip the boom memberswith a freely manually adjustable swivel connection inclusive of theswivel joint coupling 101, for heavy duty purposes it is desirable toprovide powered driving means for effecting adjustments. For thispurpose actuating motor means such as a hydraulic actuator 107 aremounted on the boom member 12, conveniently utilizing the bracket 87 forpivotally attaching the inboard end of the hydraulic cylinder of theactuator 107. This actuating motor operates to swing the outboard boomsection 13 vertically relative to the inboard boom section 12 throughthe medium of a bridle structure 108 on the order of the bridle 75 butmodified in view of the smaller load which, in this instance, it mustwithstand.

Connection of the actuating motor 107 to the bridle 108 is through alever arm 109 thereof overlying and connected at its outboard endportion to a bracket-luglink device 110 secured to the boom section 104and enabling automatic relative adjustment movements of the connectedparts. A driving connection between the actuating motor 107 and thelever arm 109 is eifected between an inboard extension 109a of the leverarm extending past the coupling 101 and pivotally connected to the outerend of a piston rod 111 projecting from the free end of the cylinder ofthe hydraulic motor 107.

A bearing load fulcrum for the bridle 108 on an axis concentric with theaxis of the coupling 101 is afforded through a transverse stabilizer bar112 extending equidistantly rigidly from each side of the operatinglever 109 at junction thereof with the lever extension 109a and havingcoextensive identical transverse spacer arms 113 comprising respectivepairs of flange plates at its respective opposite ends connected onpivot bearings 114 with respective brackets 115 rigidly mounted on theelbows of the connecting yokes of respectively the boom member 12 andthe boom section 104. Respective journal plate flanges 114a of thebrackets are interleaved with the flange plate arms 113, with the axesof the pivot bearings 114 coaxially aligned with the axis of thecoupling 101. Stabilizing reinforcement for the bridle is aiforded byrigid diagonal brace bars 117 respectively extending between and rigidlysecured to the outer end portion-s of the cross bar 112 and the outboardend portion of the lever arm 109. Through this arrangement, actuation ofthe outboard boom member 13 can be readily effected swingably relativeto the boom member 12 for adjustments desirable in coupling the boom toa nipple or duct as represented by the pipe 17. It also enables movementof the outboard boom member 13 between a collapsed position as shown indash outline and an extended position as represented in full outline inFIG- URE 1. It will be understood, of course, that the hydraulicactuating motor 107 is connected into the hydraulic control system inwhich the hydraulic motors or actuators 48 and 72 are also connected.

In the hydraulic system, suitable means may be provided by way ofpressure sensitive relief valves, or the like, for enabling swivellingor pivotal, non-powered adjustments of the various relatively swivellingand pivoted parts of the assembly to accommodate relative movementsbetween the supporting structure for the boom assembly and the structurewith which the outboard end of the boom assembly is connected while inservice, such as the movements between a loading dock and a waterbornecargo vessel. Normally, however, the hydraulic motor actuators 48, 72and 107 will hold the respective associated portions of the boomassembly in whatever adjusted position may have been effected by thehydraulic control system of the installation.

Where fluids of a character requiring insulation of the ducts of theboom structure are to be handled, an insulating jacket 118 (FIG. 9) maybe provided thereabout. The pipe 10' will be understood to represent anyportion of the conduit system of the boom structure inclusive of theriser and the boom sections as well as connecting elbows, Us andcouplings. Such insulation is especially desirable when handlingcompressed gases at low temperatures, or fluids in heated conditionwhere conservation of heat is desirable.

For balanced, equalized loading of the bearing structures at the pivotaljoints between the riser 10 and the boom section 12, and between theboom sections 12 and 13, the several gooseneck yoke portions haveassociated therewith respective equalizer structures comprising, in eachinstance, a rigid yoke arm assembly 119 secured to and projecting fromthe hook-shaped side of the gooseneck portion and rigidly supporting abracket structure 120 including a journal leaf or flange plate arm 121parallel with and having a journal end coextensive with the journalplate flange arm 91a or 115a, as the case may be, of the bracket rigidon the gooseneck portion. The arms 121 are disposed in an interleavedrelation with the respective double flange plate bearing arms of theassociated bridle and the flange plate of the yoke-mounted bracket ofthe companion yoke assembly in each instance, with the hearing pin 90 or114, as the case may be, securing all of the interleaved flange plate orarms on a common pivotal axis of the associated articulated memberstransverse to the axes of the members, and'with the load bearingassemblies in substantially spaced relation, and on opposite sides ofthe joint. Through this arrangement, not only is the bearing load on thepivot joint efliciently equalized, but the bridle structure in eachinstance functions to avoid bending stresses and assures that theprimary stresses are in direct tension and/or compression in thearticulated members and the motivating structures.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A boom structure including a pair of elongated members,

means pivotally connecting said members on a pivot joint on an axistransverse to the axes of the members and including respective loadbearing assemblies in substantially spaced relation and at opposite endsof said axis on opposite sides of said joint,

one of said assemblies being fixedly supported by one of the members andthe other assembly being fixedly supported by the other member,

each of the members having substantially rigid load equalizing meanspivotally engaging the assembly on the other member and on said axis,

an actuating bridle carried by one of the members and having fulcrummeans pivoted on said load bearing assemblies and on said axis,

and an actuator carried by theother of said members andoperativelyconne'cted to said'bridle.

2. An articulated boom construction including:

a vertical supporting structure,

a vertical riser,

a boom having an inboard portion pivotally connected on a horizontalaxis to the upper end portion of the riser,

a bridle structure attached to said inboard portion of the boom andhaving a stabilizer straddling the pivotal connectionof the boom and theriser and having a pivotal fulcrum with its axis coaxial with saidhorizontal axis,

and actuating means connected to said bridle structure and operable forthereby pivotally actuating the boom relative to the standard.

3. An articulated boom for conveying fluent material comprising:

upright supporting structure,

a vertical riser'comprising a conduit having means on its lower end forconnection with duct means and a gooseneck yoke portion on its upper endincluding a'terminal on a horizontal axis,

means connecting the riser to the upright supporting structure,

a' boom comprising a substantially rigid duct of substantial lengthhaving an inboard substantially gooseneck yoke portion with a terminalcomplementary to and coaxial with the riser terminal,

a swivel joint connecting said terminals and enabling verticaladjustment movements of the boom about said horizontal axis,

a lever structure attached to said inboard portion of the boom andhaving anextension beyond the swivel joint, and actuating means,connected to said lever extension for actuating the boom,

said lever structure including a pylon projecting upwardly and having atie rod attached thereto and to an outboard portion of the boom.

4. An articulated boom construction including a vertical riser having amast head,

an articulated boom including an inboard section and an outboard sectionpivotally connected together,

said inboard section having an inboard end portion pivotally connectedto said mast head,

a stabilized actuating bridle mounted on the inboard portion of theinboard boom section and having a fulcrum coaxial with the pivotal axisof the connection with the mast head,

a motor carried by the riser and operatively connected to said bridlestructure for pivotally actuating the inboard boom section relative tothe riser,

a bridle structure carried by the inboard portion of said outboard boomsection and having a fulcrum coaxial with the pivot axis of theconnection between said boom sections,

and a motor carried by the outboard portion of the inboard boom sectionand attached to said bridle structure on the outboard boom section forpivotally actuating the outboard boom section relative to the inboardboom section.

5. In an articulated conduit boom structure including a pair of rigidconduit members having elongated portions disposed in a common plane andan articulated connection including a swivel joint having its axisperpendicular to said plane,

the improvement comprising a bridle structure on one of said members,

and an actuating motor on the other of said members and connected tosaid bridle structure for effecting relative pivotal movement of themembers about said axis, said bridle structure comprising a levercarried by said one member and disposed in said plane and having anextension portion projecting beyond the joint,

said motor being connected to said extension portion, a stabilizer barrigid with and extending coaxially t0 opposite sides of said leveradjacent to said joint, rigid coextensive rocker arms projecting fromthe end portions of said bar, and means providing fulcrum bearings forsaid rocker arms coaxially with said joint axis and comprisingrespective brackets one of which is carried by said one member adjacentto said connection and the other of which is carried by said othermember adjacent to said connection. 6. In an articulated conduit boomstructure including a pair of rigid conduit members having elongatedportions disposed in a common plane and an articulated connectionincluding a swivel joint having its axis perpendicular to said plane,

the improvement comprising a bridle structure on one of said members,and an actuating motor on the other of said members and connected tosaid bridle structure for effecting relative pivotal movement of themembers about said axis, said bridle structure comprising a levercarried by said one member and disposed in said plane and having anextension portion projecting beyond the joint, said motor beingconnected to said extension portion, a stabilizer bar rigid with andextending coaxially to opposite sides of said lever adjacent to saidjoint, rigid coextensive rocker arms projecting from the end portions ofsaid bar, means providing fulcrum bearings for said rocker armscoaxially with said joint axis and comprising respective brackets one ofwhich is carried by said one member adjacent to said connection and theother of which is carried by said other member adjacent to saidconnection, and diagonal brace bars extending between the opposite endportions of said stabilizing bar and an end portion of said lever remotefrom said stabilizing bar. 7. In an articulated conduit boom structureincluding a pair of rigid conduit members having elongated portionsdisposed in a common plane and an articulated connection including aswivel joint having its axis perpendicular to said plane,

- the improvement comprising a bridle structure on' one i of saidmembers,

and an actuating motor on the other of said members and connected tosaid bridle structure for effecting relative pivotal movement of themembers about said axis, said bridle structure comprising a levercarried by said one member and disposed in said plane and having anextension portion projecting beyond the joint, said motor beingconnected to said extension portion, a stabilizer bar rigid with andextending coaxially to opposite sides of said lever adjacent to saidjoint, rigid coextensive rocker arms projecting from the end portions ofsaid bar, means providing fulcrum bearings for said rocker armscoaxially with said joint axis and comprising respective brackets one ofwhich is carried by said one member adjacent to said connection and theother of which is carried by said other member adjacent to saidconnection, a pylon bar extending from the end portion of the leverextension to which the motor is connected, and a guy member connected tothe upper end portion of the pylon bar and to said one member and remotefrom said joint. 8. In an articulated boom construction, an uprightsupporting structure, a vertical riser having a mast head above saidsupporting structure, a boom extending cantilever fashion from said masthead and pivotally connected thereto for vertical swinging movementrelative to the riser,

a lever projecting from the pivotally connected portion of the boomlongitudinally beyond the pivotal connection,

an actuating motor carried by the riser and connected operatively tosaid lever,

the motor being operable to actuate the boom pivotally through saidlever between an extended position and a position wherein said lever isadjacent to said mast head, and separable mechanical means separate fromsaid motor for releasably locking the lever to the mast head in saidposition adjacent to the mast head.

9. In an articulated boom construction,

an upright supporting structure,

a vertical riser having a mast head above said supporting structure,

a boom extending cantilever fashion from said mast head and pivotallyconnected thereto for vertical swinging movement relative to the riser,

a lever projecting from the pivotally connected portion of the boomlongitudinally beyond the pivotal connection, an actuating motor carriedby the riser and connected operatively to said lever,

the motor being operable to actuate the boom pivotally through saidlever between an extended position and a position wherein said lever isadjacent to said mast head,

means for releasably locking the lever to the mast head in said positionadjacent to the mast head,

an outboard boom section pivotally connected to the outboard end of saidfirst mentioned boom and pivotally adjustable relative thereto,

and means for locking said outboard boom section to said first mentionedboom in collapsed position relative thereto when the first mentionedboom is locked by said releasable means on the lever and said mast head.

10. A material handling boom structure including:

a supporting standard comprising a pair of upright triangularly shapedframes mounted in splayed relation and having respective upright edgesdisposed in convergent adjacency,

an upright riser disposed adjacent to said edges and having a mast headrising above said frames,

a boom member on and carried by said mast head,

and bearing means carried by said frames and projecting from said edgesinto supporting engagement with said riser and pivotally connecting theriser to the standard.

11. A material handling boom structure as defined in claim 10, includingmeans for latching the riser selectively against pivotal movement andcomprising a removable mechanical latch member, and means on thestandard and on the riser with which the latch member engages.

12. A material handling boom structure as defined in claim 10, in whichsaid boom member is pivotally attached to said mast head for up and downmovements, said bearing means comprising vertically spaced swivelbearings enabling movement of said riser about a vertical axis forhorizontal swinging adjustments of said boom member, a boom memberactuating motor device mounted on the riser between said swivelbearings, and means connecting said motor device to said boom member forpivotally actuating the boom member in said up and down movements.

13. A material handling boom structure as defined in claim 10, in whichsaid riser carries ring bearing means thereon, and said bearing meanscarried by the frames comprises separable clamp means engaging the ringbearing means.

14. A boom structure as defined in claim 10, wherein said bearing meansinclude an upwardly facing thrust bearing member, respective armsrigidly secured to said frames and projecting convergently beyond saidedges 1 1 and supporting said upwardly facing bearing flange, and athrust bearing flange on the riser thrusting downwardly toward andsupported by said. upwardly facing bearing flange.

15. A material handling tubular boom structure including: v

a supporting standard camprising a pairof upright triangularly shapedframes mounted in splayed relation and having respective upright edgesdisposed in convergent adjacency, a a

an upright tubular riser disposed adjacent to said edges and having atubular mast head rising above said frames, l

a tubular boom member on and carried by said tubular mast head,

bearing means carried by said frames and projecting from said edges intosupporting engagement with said tubular riser and pivotally connectingthe tubular riser to the standard,

a tubular elbow mounted on said standard below and having a terminal endaxially aligned with the lower end of the riser,

and a swivel coupling connecting the lower end of the riser with saidterminal of the elbow. t

16. In an articulated boom construction including a pair of members andmeans pivotally connectingsaid members for swinging movement of one ofthe members relative to the other of the members about a predeterminedpivotal axis,

the improvement comprising a bridle structure carried by one of saidmembers adjacent to said pivotal axis,

means on said bridge structure pivotally connected with said means whichpivotally connects said members and thereby providing a fulcrum for thebridle structure enabling it to move swingably with said one memberabout said axis, I

said bridle structure including an extension portion projecting pastsaid axis and adjacent to said other of said members,

motor means carried by the other of said members adjacent to saidpivotal axis, a

and means operatively connecting the. motor means with said extensionportion for actuating said bridle structure to effect said swingingmovement of said one member relative to the other of said members.

17. In a material handling boom structure of the character described,

a supporting standard assembly,

an upstanding riser pivotally supported by the standard and having anupper end portion,

a boom member having an outboard portion andv an inboard portion whichis pivotally connected on a horizontal axis with the upper end portionof the riser,

means including an upwardly projecting pylon having an upper end and alower portion which is pivotally connected to said riser on saidhorizontal axis, the riser also being connected to the inboard portionof the boom member so as to move therewith relative to said riser,

5 a guy member attached at one end to the upper end of said pylon andextending outboard therefrom along and converging toward the outboardend portion of said boom member,

andmeans securing said guy member to said outboard portion of said boommember whereby to place the guy member in tension between said pylon andsaid outboard portion of the boom member.

18. In an articulated boom structure including a pair of elongatedmembers adapted to be relatively adjustably pivoted,

each of said members having a pivot yoke structure,

each of said yoke structures including a gooseneck portion having a.terminal,

means pivotally connecting said terminals on a common axis transverse tosaid elongated members,

a stabilizer, frame having a rigid bar parallel to said axis and spacedfromsaid gooseneck portions, coextensive bearing brackets extendingrigidly laterally from opposite ends of, said bar and each including apair of spaced journal flange plates,

respective bearing brackets on said gooseneck portions each having ajournal flange plate extending across said axis, Y

the respective journal flange plates of the bearing brackets on thegooseneck portions and the respective pairs of journal flange plates ofthe stabilizer frame being interleaved across said axis,

and pivot means pivotally connecting all of the interleaved journalflange plates on said axis.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS8/1959 Canada. 2/1959 Germany.

ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM F. O DEA, Examiner. J. ONEILL, Assistant Examiner.

2. AN ARTICULATED BOOM CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING: A VERTICAL SUPPORTINGSTRUCTURE, A VERTICAL RISER, A BOOM HAVING AN INBOARD PORTION PIVOTALLYCONNECTED ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS TO THE UPPER END PORTION OF THE RISER, ABRIDLE STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO SAID INBOARD PORTION OF THE BOOM AND HAVINGA STABILIZER STRADDLING THE PIVOTAL CONNECTION OF THE BOOM AND THE RISERAND HAVING A PIVOTAL FULCRUM WITH ITS AXIS COAXIAL WITH SAID HORIZONTALAXIS, AND ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID BRIDLE STRUCTURE ANDOPERABLE FOR THEREBY PIVOTALLY ACTUATING THE BOOM RELATIVE TO THESTANDARD.